I have a friend in Idaho who is into preparedness heavily. When I started telling him about my new lights, he said he wanted to update his flashlights as that was the last area where he felt he was behind. He has some old SureFire CR123 lights that are 60-80 lumens and when I told him how bright my lights were he got interested and asked me what I recommended for him. He doesn't need to buy budget lights but he doesn't want to spend any more than he needs to. He started off wanting to keep his new lights using AA batteries because he is not completely satisfied with CR123 batteries.
I started him off with a Shiningbeam Caveman XM-L with 290 lumens. He got the light yesterday and called me three times. He is like a kid in a candy store. He is amazed how bright the light is. He said there is no comparison to his SureFire lights. He went around showing his neighbors. He said: "Hell Dave, I could see a mouse take a crap clear at the other end of my basement."
It's funny. He was somewhat reluctant to buy this light but now that he sees what it will do, he is going nuts looking for other lights. I sent him to some web pages to look at lights I recommended. He has now ordered a TK41, Shiningbeam Blaze, Zebralight H51 and 3 iTP A3 E0S lights. He ordered an Xstar charger and two Callie Kustoms 18650 batteries and two TF-Flame 18650 also. He has a 20 pack of AAA eneloops for his iTP A3 E0S lights and he is buying 20 eneloop AA batteries. He already has a charger for the NiMh batteries.
I have created a monster. He really didn't comprehend how good and how bright these new LED lights are and how far LED technology has advanced. It's a whole new world from what he was used to and what he expected. He is now talking about buying new lights for his kids and he said he will kick them in the butt if they lose them. He is afraid they will not realize that these are just not just another flashlight.
I just ordered a Shiningbeam Caveman because I wanted a 2xAA XM-L light. I have been wanting one of these but I didn't pull the plug until I heard how excited he was about his.
I used to have a subscription to American Survival Guide. It isn't surprising that a preparedness buff would become a flashaholic, when you consider how good budget lights have gotten. I should probably give more thought to preparedness when choosing a few lights. As much as we like them now, can you imagine how much you'd like a well selected light when the chips are really down...
Thats kind of the excuse I have been using lately to rationalize buying new lights. I have been buying lights to that can use regular batteries in an emergency. If they also are able to use 14500s or 18650s, thats a fun bonus for rest of the time when I have electricity! Also gives me an excuse to buy more Li-ion batteries so if I knew there was a snowstorm I can get them all charged up before hand.
But yes most people have no idea how far flashlight technology has come. Most of my friends don't understand this hobby of mine, or why I would pay more than 10 dollars for something as trivial as a flashlight.
I don't own any really expensive lights, my most expensive setup is a solarforce L2P with Nailbender XML, SS crown, lanyard ring, etc. This setup cost me close to $80 when you figure in the AW 2600mah 18650 that lives in it. I have only told a few people how much the light cost me, and they look at me like I am crazy. But they are the same people that will spend $100 on a ratchet from snap-on. To me, its the same thing.
I love stories like this lol. I did the same thing to my neighbor who had one of those 6v lanterns, now he has a TK35 and the Olight SR90. These aren't sold in store so people really have no clue whats out there until WE show them.
Isn't it funny how you can tell your friends and family about these new lights until your blue in the face and they still don't get it.
Seems like they have to actually hold one and play with it until they understand just what we are talking about. This happened to me today. I took a few of my lights to town and met with a friend who hadn't seen what I was into. He was so impressed he asked me if I would bring all my lights to his home and he would invite a bunch of his preparedness friends over. It's fine with me as I love to show my lights off.
. Helping people to see the light.